Arizona delegates pay thousands to attend the Republican National Convention

By Carter Nacke | July 20, 2016 at 5:37 amUPDATED: July 21, 2016 at 9:37 am

Delegates stand and turn toward the camera for the official photo during the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

CLEVELAND — Attending a party’s national convention as a delegate or an alternate is quite a prestigious honor, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Tim Sifert, communications director for the Arizona Republican Party, said the delegates and alternates were required to make a $1,000 down payment toward their trip immediately after their election. That money went to pay for events, entertainment, receptions and other events and activities.

In addition to the $1,000 down payment, delegates and alternates are also responsible for booking their own flights and hotels. The party could do so, but custom holds that delegates pay their own way. A Federal Election Commission ruling bars corporations from paying these costs.

Sifert said each delegate paid less than $2,500 to attend.

According to a list of delegates posted by the Arizona Republican Party, the estimated cost of sending each delegate and alternate to attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland was about $4,000 in the spring. The party’s estimation came as both flights and hotels were priced high because of the possibility of a contested convention. Prices have since dropped.

On Monday, delegate and Gov. Doug Ducey spoke before the Arizona delegation and encouraged them to develop a sense of unity during the convention.

“Let’s clearly state our purpose this morning: It is to put a Republican back in the White House and a Republican vice president back in Washington, D.C. and those Republicans are Donald Trump and Mike Pence,” he said.